軽トラ Japanese mini trucks
Welcome to my latest obsession
Over the last couple of years I’ve developed a minor obsession with Japanese mini trucks. Also known as a Kei truck, they are a tiny yet practical pickup truck.
What I like most is their cute, simple, and practical design—they are like toys that bring out my childlike sense of wonder. They’re like Micro Machines… you remember those? I am a child of the 90s and I freaking loved those things. These Japanese mini trucks are like the adult version of Micro Machines.
Widely employed throughout Asia in agriculture, fisheries, construction, and even for firefighting, used models originally appeared in the US for off-road use typically by farmers and hunters.
These have what’s called a “cab over” design, and I’d love to see how other non-Japanese car manufacturers would make their versions of mini trucks. You’ll find these little guys from the usual suspects like Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, but the mini truck OG is Daihatsu Hijet.
I recently wrote about living in Charleston for a month and mentioned how people cruise around the city in their golf carts. These Japanese mini trucks are a riff on that sentiment as they could make it great for getting around with a low footprint.
In fact, I could see the mini truck/car category exploding now that more people are working from home. I’m definitely seeing them around more and more, and I like it.
Some cool stuff you can do:
Go visit your best friend across town
Haul plants from the nursery to your garden
Clean up debris if you have property
Pick up groceries at the store
Sunday cruises with family and friends
Lug wood home from Home Depot
So much more…
I think I’m going to buy one.
